Guidelines are presented for improving textbook adoption procedures to ensure that instructional materials address diverse learner characteristics and that educators receive necessary training to effectively use instructional materials to teach diverse learners. The guidelines are based on research reviews, document reviews, and fieldwork directly…

Although Section 19 of the British Education Reform Act is often seen as denying special needs pupils' entitlement to the National Curriculum, this article offers suggestions for more positive applications of the legislation. The article presents a case study, a flow chart illustrating the recommended process, an example of curricular…

To contribute to a knowledge base of effective educational practices, this article summarizes several thousand small-scale psychological experiments on classroom learning and analyses of large-scale national surveys in the United States and other countries. (22 references) (MLF)

It is worthwhile to develop the concepts and conventions that emerge from the child's culture in the teaching of elementary school mathematics, specifically geometry. The discussion is based on experiences with 7- to 12-year-old Navajo children in studies toward the development of a culturally relevant mathematics curriculum. (SLD)

Reviews the history of population education programs in Latin America and the Caribbean from 1970 to 1992 and changes in fertility, mortality, and migration during that period. Considers issues such as government styles and motivations, staff shortages, cooperation among administrators, teacher training, distance education, and new management…

This editorial notes the differences between the language of science and the language of special education practice; stresses the need for communication between these groups; notes the need for publications in both areas; and urges continued dialog among researchers, practitioners, and parents. (DB)

This article refutes six myths associated with schools for students who are blind or visually impaired, such as specialized schools segregate and overprotect students from the real world, are for students with multiple disabilities only, and do not provide interaction with nondisabled children. These myths preclude some students from being…

Two studies (with 78 experts in deaf blindness and multiple disabilities and 44 parents of children with deaf blindness) explored the content and social validity of an educational planning tool--COACH (Choosing Options and Accommodations for Children). Combined results provide initial validation that COACH is congruent with exemplary practice.…

Depicts the isolation which results when education, particularly language arts education, is concerned primarily with the acquisition of skills. Urges educators not to lose sight of the fundamental purpose of the language arts, which are to help people make and articulate meaning from their experiences, to empower people, and to imagine…

Presents current research about how children learn to read and addresses the implications of this body of research for instruction. Aids educators in reflecting upon their present instructional practices to ascertain whether they coincide with findings from existing research. (MG)

Reviews the role of statistical significance testing, and argues that dominance of such testing is dysfunctional because significance tests do not provide the information that many researchers assume they do. Possible reasons for the persistence of statistical significance testing are discussed briefly, and ways to moderate negative effects are…

Responds to comments about educational research models by Ernest E. House and Cleo H. Cherryholmes with quotations from the writings of John Dewey. The points of agreement and disagreement among Dewey and these critics make it evident that theory and practice cannot be separated in educational research. (SLD)

Examines recent changes and continuing problems in Chinese science education in the areas of curriculum development and examination reform, teacher training, staff utilization, teacher recruitment and motivation, and teaching methods. Discusses related priorities in educational research and development. (SV)

Creating a school as a humane business involves hard work, hard thinking, and degree of risk-taking. All too often finances and inadequate resources are used as excuse for maintaining the status quo. Educators are advised to eliminate bells, PA systems, detention, study halls, tracking, and lock-step scheduling patterns and to institute…

The impact of the New Standards Project English language arts Field Trial Portfolio on curriculum and classroom portfolio assessment practice was studied in the 10th-grade classrooms of two experienced teachers. Case studies conducted over the school year illustrate ways in which teachers are mediators of standards and reveal problems teachers…